Obituaries from
The EARLE
(and other various articles)
From the Year 1949
Compiled by Debbie Yates
August-September 2003
Return to Earle Enterprise Index
Earle Enterprise,
C. I. Phelps, Editor
Ruth Phelps, Associate Editor
Mrs. Wrenn Phelps, Society
Published every Friday by Phelps Printing Company at Earle, Ark
MRS. SALLIE (CARTER) ALDRIDGE (died April 18, 1949)
Funeral services were held in Tyronza, Ark., at the Baptist church Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock for Mrs. SALLIE ALDRIDGE, wife of Cpl. Malcolm Aldridge Jr. of Earle who is stationed at Camp Chaffee, Fort Smith.
Mrs. Aldridge died Monday at the Sanitorium in Booneville,, Ark., where she had been for the past several weeks. Holt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in Tyronza Cemetery.
NEGRO KILLED SATURDAY AS TRACTOR OVERTURNS
CARY ANDERSON, negro on John Jenkins place was instantly killed last Saturday night when a tractor overturned on him. Cary had borrowed the tractor, a new John Deere, to come to town after groceries. In attempting to run it up a steep dump just beyond the Thompson Hotel the tractor reared over backward pinning him beneath it. He was fatally injured before he could be extricated.
MRS. ELIZABETH ANNIS CALLED BY DEATH
Mrs. ELIZABETH ANNIS, wife of the late Daniel Clark Annis, died Saturday in Wynne at Wilson’s Clinic. She was 74. Mrs. Annis was born at Sherwood, Tennessee, May 19th 1874. She was a devout Christian, attending the Assembly of God Church. She has made her home with her sons and daughters since the death of her husband in 1947. She is survived by three sons, Robert and Harold Annis of Earle, Sam Annis, of Freeport, Texas. Three daughters Mrs. Willie Sartain, of Nettleton, Ark., Mrs. Gifford Minton of Vanndale and Mrs. Katie Brothers of Earle. 22 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Burial was Sunday afternoon at Gibson Bayou. Holt Funeral Home in charge.
EARLE PIONEER RESIDENT DIES IN PINE BLUFF
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Holt Funeral Home for Mr. HENRY ATKINS, age 88, a pioneer of this community. Joe Sullivan officiated.
Mr. Atkins died early Friday morning at Davis Hospital in Pine Bluff. He had been in ill health for some time. Burial was in Farm Hill Cemetery near Harrisburg. Pallbearers were Malcolm Harris, Wilbur Harris, Tom Cloar, Charlie Cloar, Willard Layton, Lewis Swindle and C. V. Vaughn.
He is survived by two sons, Odie and Jimmy Atkins; three daughters Mrs. Nellie Atkins and Mrs. Lilly Williams of Earle and Mrs. Oma Matthews of Archer City, Texas.
T. J. ATKINS DIES IN FORREST CITY CLINIC
THOMAS JEFFERSON ATKINS, one of Earle’s pioneer citizens and substantial farmers, died Monday morning at 5:30 o’clock in the Forrest City Hospital. He was 62.
Mr. Atkins was born in Hopkins County, Texas on September 13, 1887. He came to this community when a young man and has been farming 5 miles north of Earle for the past 48 years. He had been in failing health for the past three years, but has displayed the spirit of the pioneer by looking after his farming interests and not giving up.
Funeral services were held at the Earle Baptist Church Tuesday morning with Rev. Joe Sullivan officiating. Burial was in Farm Hill Cemetery at Harrisburg.
He is survived by his father, H. A. Atkins, 85 years of age, his wife, Wilma Burns Atkins, three daughters; Bettye and Hazel and Mrs. John J. Mickbee, two brothers; Jimmy and Odie Atkins, three sister; Mrs. Nellie Atkins, Mrs. Claude Williams of West Memphis and Mrs. Oma Matthews of Archer City, Texas.
Pallbearers were Lewis Swindle, Jerome Hood, Tom Cloar, Aubrey Lancaster, James Terry and Watt Campbell. Holt Funeral Home was in charge.
Farm Hill burials:
ATKINS,
Henry A., 88y, born 1862, died Sep. 9, 1949
ATKINS,
Menervia, born 1888, died Oct. 24, 1898
ATKINS,
Mattie, born Aug. 11, 1864, died Aug. 19, 1902
ATKINS,
Thomas J., born 1887, died 1949
“UNCLE GEORGE” BAILEY CALLED BY DEATH
GEORGE BAILEY, 81, a resident of this community for the past 50 years, died Sunday at his home near Earle after a long illness. Services were held Monday at the Gibson Bayou Church with the Rev. Harvey officiating. Burial was in Gibson Cemetery. Mr. Bailey has been a substantial farmer in this section for many years and was well known. He is survived by his wife. “Uncle George”, as he was familiarly known by a legion of friends was quiet and assuming. His never failing goof humor and innate friendliness made friends of everyone with which he came in contact. He was a pioneer citizen of this community and enjoyed the respect of both the older and younger generation, and it is with deep regret that we chronicle the passing of “Uncle George”. Holt Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
FRANK BAKER IS VICTIM OF TRAGIC HOLIDAY ACCIDENT
Funeral Services were conducted Monday afternoon at Holt Funeral Home in Earle by Rev. Joe B. Sullivan for FRANK M. BAKER who was fatally injured by a hit and run driver Christmas Eve night, near his home north of Earle. He was brought to the office of Dr. J. T. Irby and was given first aid treatment. He died enroute to Memphis.
Mr. Baker was 55 years of age. He was born in Smithdale, Ark., and had been a resident of Crittenden County most of his life where he had been engaged in farming. He is survived by his wife, six sons, Peter, James, Herman, Charles and Robert of Earle and Mike who is with the U. S. Marines and was home for the holidays. His four daughters are Mrs. C. R. Wright, Mrs. Joe Turner, Helen Baker and Mrs. Earl Barber of Miami, Florida. Pallbearers were J. R. Hood, C. H. Organ, Everett Hood, V. R. Lunsford, Wes McCain and Herbert Layton. Burial was in Gibson Bayou Cemetery.
PERSONALS
Mrs. W. L. Beasley is in the
SALVADOR BECERRA IS KILLED WHEN TRUCK OVERTURNS NEAR EARLE
A truck loaded with Mexican cotton pickers, enroute to the farm of Buddy Willis, overturned at what is commonly known as Young’s Corner early Thursday morning, killing one occupant, SALVADOR HIDALGO BECERRA, instantly, and injuring approximately 15. At this writing it is not known the extent of their injuries. The injured were taken to Clinics in Wynne and Forrest City by ambulance from Holt Funeral Home, Earle, and Kernodle Funeral Home, Wynne.
The truck, loaded with from 40 to 60 pickers, according to conflicting reports, was headed north. As it rounded the curve a car and gravel truck was parked some 75 years in front. It is believed that on pulling to the right, the driver allowed his wheels to get on the soft shoulder of the road and was not able to right the vehicle.
According to the occupants of the truck, it turned over twice and came to rest on its side. It was righted and some injured removed from under it with assistance of passersby. A delay in removing the injured to the hospital was occasioned by the occupants inability to understand English.
FORMER EARLE RESIDENT BURIED IN HUMBOLDT
Funeral
services were held at
Mrs. Bennett died at her home in Humboldt, Saturday night after an illness of several months. She was 66.
She was born in Dyer County, Tennessee, daughter of the late R. E. and Mrs. Belle H. Akin. She was a resident of Earle for many years and has a host of friends here.
She was active in church and civic affairs while she lived in Earle, and continued her work after moving to Humboldt several years ago.
Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery in Humboldt.
FORMER EARLE RESIDENT DIES OF HEART ATTACK
HOBART J. BIBBS, 53 of Little Rock died Wednesday December 14 in a Little Rock Hospital. Mr. Bibb was auditor for the Askmo Lumber Co.
He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Bibb, pioneer residents of Earle, and lived here until he had reached maturity. He attended the Earle school and prepared for his chosen profession while a resident of Earle.
His wife, the former Miss Ethel Mae Goad also came from a pioneer Earle family. She is a sister of Mrs. Charlie Organ of Earle. They have a host of friends and acquaintances in and around Earle who were deeply shocked at his passing.
He was a member of the Immanual Baptist church of Little Rock, was past master of Albert Pike Lodge No. 714, F. & A Masons, Union Chapter No. 2 Royal Arch Masons. Hugh de Payens Commandery No. 1 Knights Templar, Accidental Council No. 1, and was secretary of The Grand Lodge of Arkansas. He was past worthy patron of Adah Chapter No. 468, O. E. S. and was past grand worthy patron of the Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star of Arkansas.
Mr. Bibb is survived by his widow; a son James Hobart Bibbs; a daughter, Mrs. Preston Newsom, all of Little Rock; two sisters, Miss Apoline Bibb of Forrest City and Mrs. Misha Feibish of Memphis.
Those from Earle to attend the funeral services were Mrs. And Mrs. C. H. Organ, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Organ, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Organ, and Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Hodges.
BROTHER OF LOCAL RESIDENT DIES
Mr. WILLIAM DOSY BREWER, of Memphis, a retired agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad and a brother of H. T. Brewer of Earle, died Tuesday night at Cage Nursing Home in Memphis after an illness of several months. He was 69.
Born in Swifton, Ark., Mr. Brewer started his railroad career there in 1898 with the Missouri Pacific. He also worked many years at St. Joseph and Minro [Monroe], La., and was agent at Camp Pike Ark., during World War I. When he retired in 1943 he was agent at Gould, Ark. He moved to Memphis after his retirement. Mrs. Brewer was a Baptist and a Ropal Arch Mason. Burial was in Tuckerman, Arkansas Thursday.
BOBBY EUGENE BULLARD
BOBBY EUGENE BULLARD, apprentice seaman and son of E. E. Bullard of Parkin and Mrs. Fay L. Bullard of West Memphis, died at the Naval Hospital in Oakland, Calif., as a result of a heart attack Sunday at midnight. Stationed at Oakland, the 18 year old sailor became ill on Wednesday Nov. 23. His illness was diagnosed as rheumatic fever.
Before entering the Navy on May 8, 1948, young Bullard was a student in Parkin High School. Besides his mother and father he leaves a brother, Buddy Bullard of West Memphis. Plans for services are incomplete pending arrival of the body in Parkin.
CRITTENDEN PLANTER DIES OF HEART ATTACK
LAFRINIA HIGHTOWER CARRUTH, one of the largest planters in Crittenden County, who owned or controlled a total of 3000 acres, was found dead in bed at his home, 3936 Galloway Drive Memphis last Friday.
Mr. Carruth was found by his servant, Simon Carpenter, who went to Mr. Carruth’s room to awaken him. Members of the family said he apparently died in his sleep. Carpenter summoned a nurse in the home who had been caring for Mrs. Carruth for the last year, but it was to no avail.
Mrs. Carruth operated his plantation in the vicinity of Jericho and Crawfordsville. He was in fine spirits and apparent good health. He spent Thursday walking over his extensive Crittenden County properties with Frank G. Barton of F. G. Barton Co. of Memphis, to whom Mrs. Carruth sold his cotton, and who advised him on farming matters.
He leaves his wife, Mrs. Ostella Rowan Carruth, his daughter Mrs. George H. Jones, Batesville, Miss., and his brother Albert Carruth of Ecru, Miss.
CAROL CATO VICTIM OF INFANTILE PARALYIS
CAROL
CATO, 14 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Cato, Rt. 2, Earle is in
Carol was stricken at her home last
Thursday night with a violent headache, the severe pain extended down the spine
and a numbness came over both legs. She was carried to
She was put in isolation and treatment was started. It is hoped that having detected the disease in its early state that crippling results may be avoided.
HOMER CHOATE DIES
IN
Services for HOMER CHOATE, of Beebee [Beebe], a former merchant of Earle, who died at Kennedy Hospital in Memphis Friday, were held at Searcy Arkansas Methodist Church at 2:30 Sunday afternoon. Burial was in Searcy Cemetery with James Funeral Home in charge. He was 58.
Mr. Choate had suffered with a heart ailment for a number of years that kept him from business activities. He was a Veteran of World War I, a member of the Searcy Post of the American Legion and served as a sergeant at arms in the Arkansas Legislature.
He leaves four brothers, G. C. and Donald Choate of Searcy; J. W. Choate of Washington, D. C. and two sisters Mrs. E. A. Leasure of Kennett, Mo., and Mrs. A. H. Harrell of Earle in whose home he was a frequent visitor.
JOE MANCEL DAVIS SUCCUMBS AFTER LINGERING ILLNESS
JOE MANCEL DAVIS, 48, died at Wilson’s Clinic in Wynne, Tuesday Feb. 22, after an illness of several weeks. His death was attributed to a malignant infection. He was born in Savannah, Tenn., July 12, 1901, and came to Earle eleven years ago to practice his profession.
Mr. Davis was an ardent sportsman and a loyal supporter of the High School sports program. His faithful attendance to all football and basket ball games won him a place in the hearts of the high school boys and girls. He loved the outdoors, and spent his spare time fishing and hunting.
He was a good citizen, a member of the Methodist Church, a conscientious worker and a master craftsman in his profession which was painting. Earle will miss Joe, as he was familiarly known, and the Enterprise joins a host of friends in extending our sympathy to the bereaved family.
Funeral services were held at Holt Funeral Home Thursday with burial in Akins Cemetery near Vanndale. The Rev. J. O. Smith of W. Memphis officiated. He is survived by his wife, a son, J. M. Jr. and two daughters, Lena Ray and Wilma Jean. Two brothers, George Davis of Vanndale, Will Davis of Birdeye. Three sisters, Alice Davis of Little Rock, Nettie Akin, Parkin and Sarah Johnson of Tishomingo, Miss. Pallbearers were N. C. Rook, Malcolm Harris, Lum Humphries, Clyde Bramlett, Clyde Humphrey and W. B. Forrester.
LITTLE TONY PLAYS ON MID-SOUTH’S HEART STRINGS
From the Commercial Appeal – Folks in the MidSouth have kind hearts and willing hands. And because they do, the remaining days of 3-year old TONY DEXTER, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Dexter, Jr. of Earle will be happier and less painful. Tony was stricken five months ago with Bright’s disease, a kidney ailment which doctors call a progressively degenerative disease. And that means there is no hope for Tony to recover – only treatment to relieve the pain and swelling of his little body.
For four months, Mr. and Mrs. Dexter who have two other children to care for, spent all they had to keep Tony in a hospital, where the pain could be eased. Their money ran out, and Tony was brought home.
Tony became worse. They needed money for treatments at the hospital. An appeal was made and Marvin Bird, president of Earle State Bank, set up his office as a receiving point for contributions from anyone who wanted to help. Sunday Mr. Bird made his report, a report that showed the kindness of folks who live in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri and Georgia.
“Tony is at home and seems to be improving,” Mr. Bird said, and 246 friends from all walks of life in the MidSouth have provided $1120.05 for hospital care, which he needed so urgently to relieve the pain.
PARENTS DEEPLY GRATEFUL
“Mr. and Mrs. Dexter are deeply grateful for the help they have received,” Mr. Bird said. “They are so appreciative and they want all who contributed to the fund to know how much relief it has given Tony and it has relieved their anxiety and heartaches.”
“Each of the letters has been turned over to Mrs. Dexter and she is planning to answer all of them as soon as possible.”
“The letters that accompanied the donations would warm your heart. To me it has been a wonderful experience in renewing my faith in my fellowman.”
CAR WRECK FATAL TO FORMER CITIZEN OF EARLE
Mrs. VIVIAN GRAFTON, wife of W. B. Grafton, merchant of Vanndale, Ark., was killed at 4 o’clock Monday afternoon in a head-on collision between an automobile and a truck on Highway 70 near West Memphis. Mrs. Grafton was killed instantly. Mrs. Grafton was seriously injured, suffering a broken left shoulder and left forearm. He was taken to Campbell’s Clinic in Memphis. The Graftons are former Earle residents, having conducted farming operations south of town for several years prior to moving to Vanndale.
Chief of Police Bud Holland arrested Clarence Wyatt, negro of near Louise, Ark. on a charge of manslaughter. Wyatt was slightly injured. Police said the accident occurred when Wyatt’s truck and the car driven by Mr. Grafton attempted to pass the other cars. Mrs. Grafton was driving west and the truck as moving east. Each tried to pass a car in front and they hit head on.
Mr. Grafton is the son of Mrs. S. B. Grafton of Memphis. Services for Mrs. Grafton was in charge of the Citizens Funeral Home of West Memphis. Burial was in Vanndale Tuesday afternoon.
FUNERAL SERVICES FOR PIONEER CITIZEN HELD IN EARLE MONDAY
Funeral Services were held Monday morning at 10 o’clock at the Earle Baptist Church for J. W. GUNN, the Rev. Roy Hilton officiating. Mr. Gunn died at the home of his son, W. T. Gunn at Jacksonville, Ark., following a short illness. He was 74. Mr. Gunn was a pioneer resident of Earle having moved here in 1904. During his active career he was in the grocery and market business and served the people of this vicinity for some 30 years in this capacity. Ill health caused him to retire from his chosen profession some 11 years ago, most of which time he spent away from Earle.
He is survived by three sons, Dr. J. V. Gunn, W. T. and Earl Gunn; two sisters, Mrs. W. T. Ingram Mrs. Luetta Crimm, both of Earle. Burial was at Gibson Cemetery.
EDWARD A. HALE CALLED BY DEATH
EDWARD A. HALE, retired building contractor and father of James C. Hale, former prosecuting attorney of the Second Judicial District, died at Veterans Hospital in Little Rock, Monday.
Mr. Hale was 83. He was one of the early residents of Blytheville, Ark., moving there in 1898. He was in the contracting business until 1945 when he was forced to retire because of ill health.
He leaves his wife, Mrs. Kate Hale of Marion; his son, James C. Hale of Marion; a daughter, Miss Edna Kate Hale of Washington; a brother, A. A. Hale of Blytheville.
February 11, 1949
PIONEER RESIDENT
DIES IN W. MEMPHIS
Services for Mrs. EMMA HAYES, a resident of Crittenden County since 1910, were
held Friday morning Feb. 4th at 10:00 o’clock from the chapel of Citizens
Funeral Home in West Memphis. The Rev.
Harold Eggensperger, pastor of the First Methodist
church, assisted by the Rev. J. L. Scott pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church officiated. Burial was in
Byhalia, Miss.
Mrs. Hayes, who was 90, died on Thursday
morning at 2:05. She was the widow of
the late Dr. Charley Hayes of Byhalia.
She had made her home in West Memphis since 1924 with her daughter Mrs. Zela Tufts. Prior to
that time she made her home in Earle and her family were pioneers of this
community. Since she had lived in West Memphis
she had spent much time here with her daughter, Mrs. H. Chalmers.
She had been an invalid for the past
several years. She lived a full and
useful life. She will be remembered by
her many Earle friends as a beautiful Christian character and the Enterprise
extends their deepest sympathy to the bereaved family.
She is survived by two other daughters besides Mrs. Tufts and Mrs. Chalmers. They are Mrs. Bess White of Memphis and Mrs. Ivan Dickson of Turrell.
September 30, 1949
PERSONALS
Mrs. Eddie
Harris was called to New Orleans, La., Tuesday on account of the death of her
mother, Mrs. MILDRED HILL.
PROMINENT CROSS COUNTIAN DIES SUDDENLY AT HOME
JAMES EDGAR HOLLAN SR. of Wynne died suddenly of a heart attack at his home there Saturday afternoon. He was 56.
He was born in Bowling Green, Ky. and came to Cross County 30 years ago. One of the largest land owners in the county, Mr. Hollan devoted much of his time in past years to charitable work. He was a board member of the Crippled Adult Hospital in Memphis and was a member of the board of Boysville of America, which he was helping establish near Wynne.
He had served on the State Welfare Board, he was a director of the First National Bank of Wynne, member of the Rotary Club and director of the Agricultural Council of Arkansas. He belonged to the Wynne Baptist Church.
He leaves his wife, Mrs. Mary Ware Hollan; one son, Edgar Hollan Jr. of Wynne; a daughter, Mrs. Allen Smith of Memphis and four grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the chapel of the Kernodle Funeral Home in Wynne Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock with Rev. Boyd Baker officiating. Burial was in Cogbill Cemetery, Wynne.
CARD OF THANKS
We want to thank our friends for the many beautiful floral offerings that were sent, and for their deeds of kindness and the sympathy extended to us in our recent bereavement. (signed) Mrs. CLYDE HUMPHREY and Family
SHARRON HUXTABLE
Funeral Services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Earle Methodist Church for Baby SHARRON HUXTABLE, the 2 ½ months old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Huxtable. Mr. H. M. Barnett, pastor, officiated.
Sharron was sleeping in her bed Tuesday afternoon when her mother thinking that the nap was unusually long, went in to see about her and found that she had rolled over on her face and the little body was cold. Mrs. Huxtable immediately called Dr. Ray who hurried to the home and pronounced the child dead.
Burial was in Crittenden Memorial Cemetery with the Holt Funeral Home in charge. Pallbearers were Kinley Ray and John Drane. The Enterprise joins the host of friends in extending deepest sympathy to the bereaved parents.
PERSONALS
Mrs. B. G. Dickey, Mrs. R. E. Moore and Mrs. B. G. Dickey Jr. were in Tunica, Miss., last Friday to attend the Funeral Services for Dr. M. B. JERNBERG, a former resident of Earle.
BROTHER OF LOCAL RESIDENT SUCCUMBS
JOSEPH BARNEY JINNETTE, brother of Mrs. George Newton, of Earle, well-known businessman of Waynesboro, Va., died Thursday, March 31 at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, He had been a patient there for two days.
He was born May 30, 1900 in Gadsden, Tenn., the son of George W. and Anna Belle Patrick Jinnette. He graduated from Jackson Business College, Jackson, Tenn., and on August 11, 1928 married the former Miss Leota Quillin of Gate City.
A partner in the Valley Collection Agency, he had previously been assistant manager of the Waynesboro Finance Company, and had been employed by Paul Freed, Inc. He came to Waynesboro in August 1923. He was a member of the Baptist Church and the Kiwanis Club.
Besides his widow, who is a teacher in
Waynesboro schools he is survived by four sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Craddock, of
Humboldt, Tenn., Mrs. Ralph Williams, Gadsden, Tenn., Mrs. Geo Cash, Memphis
and Mrs. Geo. Newton of
Waynesboro news – Virginian
JOE MCCREMMON DIES OF HEART ATTACK
JOE PATRICK MCCREMMON, a life-long resident of Earle, died Sunday evening at 9:30 o’clock at his home from a heart ailment. Mr. McCremmon spent his earlier years in the timber industry but in later years devoted his time of farming and trading. Funeral services were held at Holt Funeral Home at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon with Rev. Langley and Rev. Joe Sullivan in charge. Burial was at the Medley Family Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Minnie Bowman McCremmons.
SERVICES HELD FOR WYNNE PIONEER
Services for JOHN WILLIAM MCELROY who died at his home near Wynne at 1:30 Sunday morning after an illness of more than five years, were held Monday afternoon in Wynne. Burial was in McElroy Cemetery. He was 94.
A member of one of Cross County’s pioneer families, Mr. McElroy had lived in the county all his life. He served as county surveyor for more than 50 years before his retirement.
He leaves his wife, Mrs. Kate McElroy; a brother, E. L. McElroy; three daughters, Mrs. Luther Wallin and Mrs. Mollie Edmonds of Earle, and Mrs. W. E. Chadwick of Chatfield, Ark., two sons, Bob McElroy of Edwardsville, Ill., and J. W. McElroy of Wynne; 35 grandchildren, many great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.
MRS. SALLIE MEDDERS FUNERAL HELD SUNDAY
Funeral Services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Earle Baptist Church for Mrs. SALLIE MEDDERS, 74, who died Friday, July 15, in a Memphis Hospital. Rev. Joe Sullivan, pastor, officiated. Mrs. Medders has been a resident of Crittenden County since 1917. She has been in ill health for the past two years, most of this time confined to the bed at the home of her daughter Mrs. T. J. Taylor, in Earle. She was a member of the Nazarene Church.
Beside Mrs. Taylor, she leaves a daughter; Mrs. Minnie Hooker, Oxford, Miss., three sons, Ernest and Isom Medders of Memphis and Bill Medders of Toledo, Ohio. Twenty-five grandchildren and eleven great grand children. Pallbearers were Jimmy Fullwood, Benny Butt, Tom Cloar, Bob Drew and Mal Harris. Burial was in Gibson Bayou Cemetery. Holt Funeral Home in charge.
BILL MINOR
Mr.
BILL MINOR, 53, of Dyess, Ark., and a former
resident of Earle, died November 5 in the Baptist Hospital in Memphis at 11:30
p. m. Services were conducted in the Dyess Methodist Church Monday, November 7th at 1
o’clock. Burial was in Crittenden
Memorial Cemetery. Holt Funeral Home of
Earle was in charge.
Mr.
Minor and his family lived in this community for a number of years before they
moved to Dyess, where they were living at the time of
his death. He is survived by his wife,
two sons and two daughters.
HIRAM NORCROSS IS
KILLED IN
Hever, England, Aug. 29 – (AP) – Officials are continuing their investigation into the death of HIRAM NORCROSS, 42 year-old American employee of Shell-Mex Oil Co., whose body was found near here Friday night.
Mr. Norcross who formerly lived at Tyronza, Ark. had throat wounds. He had been missing from his home at nearby Edenbridge, Kent, since last Thursday. When last seen he was going to keep an appointment with a doctor in London, police said.
The body was found beside a lane near the river Eden, between Hever and Edenbridge. Mr. Norcross went to England about a year ago, accompanied by his wife and two daughters. He was a graduate of the Law School at Yale.
The Norcross family are big land owners in the Black Oak neighborhood and are well known to Crittenden Countians.
FORMER EARLE CITIZEN DIES IN MEMPHIS
N. E. OFFENHISER of Clarkdale, Miss., a former resident of Earle died Saturday night in the Baptist Hospital in Memphis. He was 75. Services were held Monday afternoon in Clarksdale at the Baptist Church. Burial was in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mr. Offenhiser was formerly chief engineer for the Yazoo Delta Levee Board, and had spent more than 40 years in that section building and maintaining levees. Throughout his long service, he never experienced a levee break under his jurisdiction.
Born in Loarn, Ill., on December 2, 1874, he was graduated from the University of Valpariso, Ind., in engineering. In 1944 he became consulting engineer of the Yazoo Mississippi Delta Levee Board and was holding this position at the time of his death.
Before moving to Clarksdale, the Offenhiser family lived in Earle and Mr. Offenhiser conducted farming operations near Earle. He was a Baptist and a Rotarian. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Bess Offenhiser; a son Eugene o Clarksdale; a brother of Presho, S. D. and a sister, Mrs. Thompson of Platt, S. D.
YOUR EDITOR MEETS THE FINAL DEADLINE
Services
for WRENN H. PHELPS, SR., who has been the editor of this paper for
approximately 30 years, were held at 2 Sunday afternoon at Holt Funeral home
here. The Rev. Edgar L. Storey, Presbyterians
minister officiated, assisted by the Rev. J. B. Barnett, Methodist
minister. Burial was in Cogbill Cemetery at Wynne.
Wrenn’s illness was of a short duration. He was taken ill on Tuesday and the pneumonia
which resulted in his death reached its climax around six o’clock Saturday
morning.
Born
in Wynne, Mr. Phelps moved to Earle in 1906.
Practically all of his adult life was spent in the newspaper
profession. The elder Mrs. H. M. Phelps
founded the Enterprise with which he was associated at the time of his
death. Outdoor sports were his
hobby. He was a member of the
Besides
his wife, Ruth Phelps, he leaves a daughter, Mrs. Edgar Hollan,
Jr., of Wynne, a son, W. H. Phelps, Jr., of Earle; a sister, Mrs. J. F.
Partridge of Memphis, and a brother, C. I. Phelps, who was associated with him
in business.
LEST WE FORGET
FARMER
PORTER, JR. is coming Home --- Home to this final resting place in the soil
of his native land. His body will rest
in the National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. B.
Porter of Memphis were notified the first of this week that their son’s body
was among the number that will arrive in the States in the near future.
Farmer
is a former Earle boy and was a home town favorite. He was serving his country with the U. S. Air
Force in England at the time of his death.
As he sleeps among the heroic dead of the country he loved and for which
he gave his life, may this last journey home prove a restful peace nevermore to
be disturbed.
LT. FARMER PORTER JR.
Services
for Lt. FARMER PORTER JR., son of Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Porter, 208
Auburndale, Memphis, former Earle residents, were held at Jefferson Barracks in
St. Louis, Thursday, December 8. Farmer
Jr., was killed in a bomber collision over La Spenzia,
Italy, May 2, 1944. His parents and
sister, Mrs. Walter Hughes and Mr. Hughes attended the services.
LAST RITES HELD FOR J. H. RAMEY SATURDAY
MORNING
Funeral
services for J. H. RAMEY were held at the Earle Baptist Church on
Saturday morning, January 23rd at 10 o’clock. The Rev. H. L. Lipford
pastor of the Baptist Church in Brinkley formerly of the Earle Church
officiated with Rev. Joe Sullivan and Rev. J. M. Barnett assisting. He was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in
Memphis.
Mr.
Ramey died Thursday night of January 20, at the Baptist Hospital in
Memphis. The beautiful floral offerings
and the large crowd portrayed the high esteem in which he was held by his many
friends. He had suffered from a heart
condition for several years, but his cheerfulness and the patience with which
he bore his illness endeared him to many people.
He
was a civic minded citizen and never turned down a cause to help his town. He came to Earle 14 years ago and has been
connected with the Peoples Implement Company since its establishment. Before coming to Earle he was a plantation
manager on the Woollard plantation
He
is survived by his wife of Earle, a son Howard Cook Ramey of San Francisco,
Cal., a daughter Mrs. Beverly Adkins of Memphis and a sister Mrs. W. T. Webber
of Earle.
CARD OF THANKS - We want to take this means
of thanking our friends for the many kin acts of kindness extended to us in the
loss of our loved one. For the beautiful
floral offerings, the consoling words from the ministers Fro. Lipford, Bro. Sullivan and Bro. Barnette
we are grateful. May God’s richest
blessings rest on each of you in our prayer.
(Signed)
Mrs. Irma Ramey, wife; Mrs. Lottie Webber, sister;
Mrs. W. E. Adkins, and Howard Cook Ramey, children.
JAMES RILEY VICTIM OF SERIOUS ACCIDENT (outcome unknown)
JAMES RILEY, 19, suffered a broken neck and undetermined head injuries when he was caught by a descending elevator and crushed against a guard gate at 4 o’clock Tuesday afternoon while at work at the John Deere Plow Co., in Memphis. He was rushed to St. Joseph Hospital in a Thompson Bros. ambulance. His condition is critical.
Mrs. Riley lives in Crawfordsville, Ark., and travels back and forth to work. The nature of his injuries indicate he was looking up the elevator shaft at the time of the accident.
NOTICE
In
the Probate Court of Crittenden County, Arkansas. No. 829
In the matter of the estate of NORMA ROBINSON,
deceased. H. K. Barkick,
Administrator, Cum, Testamenta Annexo.
Notice is hereby given that Letters of
Administration upon the estate of Norma Robinson, Deceased, were granted by the
Probate Court of Crittenden County, Arkansas, to the undersigned on the 4th
day of January, 1949.
All
persons having claims against said estate are hereby notified to exhibit the
same to said Administrator, properly authenticated, within six (6) months from
the date of the first publication of this notice, and if they fail to do so,
they shall be forever barred and precluded from any benefits in such
estate.
Witness
my hand on this 4th day of January, 1949. H. K. Barwich Jr.,
Administrator, C. T. A. of the Estate of Norma Robinson, Deceased. Address: Wynne, Arkansas. J. L. Shaver, Attorney for said Estate. Jan. 7, 14, 21
In
the Probate Court of Crittenden County, Arkansas. No. 829. In the matter of the Estate of Norma
Robinson, Deceased. Notice is hereby given
that the Last Will and Testament of Norma Robinson was probated in form … by
the Probate Court of Crittenden County, Arkansas on …. day of January,
1949.
September 30, 1949
PERSONALS
Mr. and Mrs.
Henry ROGERS were called to Vian, Okla., the first of the week to attend the funeral
services for Mr. ROGERS
SISTER who has been seriously ill for several months.
MEXICAN GIRL KILLED BY LIGHTNING STRIKE
EVA SOTO SANCHEZ, 12 year old adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eliseo Sanchez, Mexican sharecroppers on the plantation of Tommy Lambert four mile south of Parkin, was killed early Saturday morning when struck by a bolt of lightning during a sudden thunder shower. Eva and her twin brother, Adon, was returning to their home from a nearby cotton field where they had been chopping cotton when the bolt struck the girl. Adon was knocked to the ground but was only slightly injured. Services were held at the Methodist Church in Parkin Sunday, with burial in Parkin Cemetery. Holt Funeral Home of Earle was in charge of arrangements.
MEMBER OF LOCAL FIRM DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS
JAMES W. (JIM) SCOTT, vice president and general manager of the Chisca Hotel in Memphis and prominent in Memphis hotel affairs, died at 5:40 Thursday night at Baptist Hospital in Memphis, where he had been a patient since November 10. He was 60.
Mr. Scott was born in Missouri and in his youth was with Fred Harvey dining car and hotel systems. He became manager of the Parkview Hotel and Apartments in Memphis when it opened in 1924 and continued there until 1928, when he was named manager of the Chisca.
The Board of Directors of Chicasaw Hotel Co., owner of the Chisca, in 1934, elected Mr. Scott vice president and general manager of the firm, a post which he held until his death. He was elected president of the Tennessee Hotel Association in 1941. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Scott is a co-partner in the Blanz Chevrolet Company of this city and has made many friends on his occasional visits to Earle.
Although funeral arrangements were not completed as we go to press, it is thought that a funeral service will be held at the National Funeral Home in Memphis, sometime Saturday, and then another service and burial in Belleville, Ill., on Sunday.
Mr. Blanz and his wife were in Kansas City to attend the first showing of the new 1949 Chevrolet cars at the time of Mr. Scott’s death. They returned home immediately.
Earle Enterprise,
KINDLE FIRE WITH TRACTOR FUEL; THREE ARE KILLED
The Earle Fire Department answered an alarm at the home of Robert Smith in Norvell Tuesday morning about 11 o’clock which proved to be one of the worst tragedies in this community in recent years. The fire, occasioned by kindling a fire with tractor fuel and the resultant explosion, destroyed the home and took the life of the mother and two children.
Mrs. ROBERT (PAULINE) SMITH, 28, the mother, died in the Baptist Hospital in Memphis at 4:00 o’clock Wednesday morning, closely followed by an infant son, GEORGE ENOS SMITH, 5 weeks of age, who died at 7 o’clock. Little Robert Vail Smith, aged 2, failed to escape the flames.
Robert Smith, the husband escaped the blaze. He was at work in out his home. He was at work in Earle helping on repairs at the home of Martin Klindworth, on whose farm he lived.
Three other of the Smith children also escaped injury. Betty Jean, 7, was at school, Wilma June, 5, and Jo Ann 3, “must have been out in the yard playing,” said Mr. Smith.
“I think my wife’s cousin, Christine James, who lives nearby helped get them out of the fire,” he said. His wife was only to explain that the blast occurred when she poured tractor fuel on live coals in the stove.
Mr. Smith and his family previously lived at Cherry Valley, Ark., before moving on the Klindworth place two years ago.
The body of Robert Vail (ROBERT D. SMITH), was taken to Holt Funeral Home in Earle.
Earle firemen, acting without authority as it was out of their jurisdiction, responding to the call were helpless to combat the blaze as Norvell has no fire hose connections. However, using their booster tank equipment, they cooled the embers and recovered the remains of little Robert Vail.
(Note:
Pauline Smith (wife of Robert Smith) and the two children (George and
Robert) are buried at Bay Village Cemetery.
Although the Earle Enterprise states the name of the 16 month old child
as Robert Vail, his name was most likely Robert Dale)
SMITH, George E., born Aug. 25, 1949, died Oct. 26, 1949SMITH, Pauline, born Nov. 13, 1922, died Oct. 26, 1949
SMITH, Robert D., born June 15, 1948, died
Oct. 25, 1949
SERVICES HELD FOR FORMER EARLE BOY
Services for LT. JOSEPH D. SMITH JR., of Memphis and Earle, who was killed in combat in Belgium, Feb. 14, 1945, while on his 22nd mission for the Eight Air Force, was held at 2:30 p.m. at National Cemetery in Memphis.
Lt. Smith a nephew of the late Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Robinson of Earle attended Earle High School and Arkansas State College, Jonesboro. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Smith Sr., brother of Mrs. Ekellis M. Chandler and a nephew of Brown L. Smith and Mrs. Julia Wise of Memphis. He was 21.
PERSONALS
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Bratton, Mrs. J. W. Holt, Mrs. G. E. Holmes, Mrs. Frank Huxtable and Lynn Huxtable were in Helena Sunday to attend the funeral services for MRS. JOHN WICKS, sister of Misses Estelle and Hettye Varnado of Earle. Mrs. Wicks has been critically ill for several months. She was buried Tuesday in Hollandale, Miss.
DESPERADO IS KILLED BY CRITTENDEN DEPUTY
MINUS WILSON, alias Eddie Hall, Negro fugitive who eluded posses in three MidSouth States, after slaying a Luxora, Ark., woman, Dec. 9, was shot and killed in Crawfordsville Monday when he resisted arrest on a burglary charge, Sheriff Cecil V. Goodwin said.
Wilson, still bearing the unhealed scars of wounds received in a running fun battle with a posse in North Mississippi two weeks ago, was surprised early Monday as he attempted to burglarize the home of Crittenden County Deputy Sheriff Gladstone Williams.
The Negro fled form the Williams home, but was found hiding behind a stove in a store a short time later. Sheriff Goodwin said he tried to pull a gun on two deputies and was shot.
Sheriff Goodwin said he and the officers did not know at the time that the negro was Wilson. His identity was not learned until early Monday night when his wife identified the body.
Goodwin said he acted on a hunch and asked Sheriff William Berryman of Mississippi County, Ark., to bring Wilson’s wife to view the body. The Wilson woman had been held since apprehended in Mississippi Dec. 10.
Wilson murdered Mrs. Joe McDaniel, wife of the town marshal of Luxora, and wounded her husband and Luxora Night Marshal Ralph Williamson as he was being escorted to jail for disorderly conduct at a Luxora honkeytonk on Dec. 9. His wife was arrested with him.
Recounting the capture and shooting in Crawfordsville Monday, Sheriff Goodwin said Wilson was found hiding behind a stove in Louis Blackman’s place after having fled from the Williams home. He had fired a shot at Mrs. Williams when she surprised him ransacking a room.
Mr. Williams said he arose Monday about 5:30 a. m. to take his son-in-law to work at West Memphis. Shortly afterward his wife heard a noise in the front of the house and got up to see about it.
When Mrs. Williams turned on the light, the Negro was standing in the room. He fired one short from a revolver which missed her, then fled.
Deputy Williams was recalled to Crawfordsville by radio and was joined by Deputies Reives and Powers. The officers found that a 1949 Pontiac owned by Holt Hale, another Crawfordsville resident, had been stolen and abandoned after having been wrecked in a ditch near the Williams home.
Checking in the Negro section of town, officers were advised that a “strange Negro” was in the Blackman place. When they arrived the Negro was ordered to come from behind the stove where he was hiding. Deputy Williams said Wilson didn’t come but reached for a shoulder holster instead and a scuffle between the officers and the Negro followed. During the fight Deputy Williams shot the Negro.
POLIO SHOWS ALARMING INCREASE; PUBLIC GATHERINGS MAY BE BANNED
600 CASES FORECAST
FOR
With 11 cases of infantile paralysis being reported in Crittenden County as of Wednesday, plans are being made to close all picture shows and public gatherings if the disease should reach a possible epidemic stage, the County health Department reported last week.
Already activities are being curtailed voluntarily throughout the county and parents are placing more drastic restrictions of their children. Only one case has been reported in Earle to date.
The Arkansas polio load became heavier on Little Rock hospitals as the state moved into its fifth week of an infantile paralysis siege.
The dread disease had claimed 13 deaths in Arkansas this year, with a total of 266 cases. The rapidly spreading epidemic has averaged 12 new victims daily this week in Arkansas. Little Rock hospitals are caring for 100 cases and State Health Department officials predicted a “capacity” load for the four isolation wards in Little Rock by the week end.
“We are going to have to have another hospital if new cases continue at heir present rat,” K. W. Newman, business manager for the University Hospital declared. In this connection Davis Hospital at Pine Bluff was reported to be on a standby basis in the event its facilities were needed.
Nurses – 42 of them recruited from outside Arkansas – were working 12-hour shifts or longer. Health officials predict 600 cases of polio before the peak of the epidemic is reached.
Schools having Summer terms were closed in Blytheville Wednesday after seven new cases were reported in Mississippi County, making a total of 80 cases in the past five weeks. Five fatalities have occurred there.
POLIO IN
Missouri has reported 60 cases of infantile paralysis Wednesday night with four deaths thus far. The state has 260 beds available for acute cases. 131 of which are in St. Louis. Plans are being rushed for additional hospital accommodations
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